20/02/2025 (Agence Europe) – The WhatsApp messaging platform announced on 14 February that it had reached the threshold required to be designated as a ‘very large online platform’ (‘VLOP’) under the Digital Services Act (DSA), i.e. more than 45 million users. It said it had reached around “46.8 million monthly active users in the European Union in the six months to December 2024”. When questioned, the Commission confirmed that it would be looking into the matter. “We are going to contact the platform, check the accuracy of its figures and, if that is the case, we may indeed announce the designation”, said spokesman Thomas Regnier. Under the DSA, a platform designated as a ‘VLOP’ has four months to comply with the strictest rules relating to systemic risks, illegal content, fundamental rights and the protection of minors. (IS)